The Best Breakfast And Brunch Spots In Lincoln Park, Chicago

Located near the corner of Webster and Halsted, Toast is often praised as the best brunch in Lincoln Park. Savory menu favorites include the chorizo Benedict, served with a lemon truffle hollandaise sauce; the breakfast burrito; and the French toast orgy, stuffed and topped with yogurt, berry granola, fresh fruit, and honey. Toast provides a cozy atmosphere with fewer than 15 tables, so get there on the early side to avoid long waits. Make sure to check out the wasabi bloody mary for an extra kick to get your day started.

For a twist on the traditional brunch, try Café Ba-Ba-Reeba, Chicago’s original tapas bar located at the corner of Armitage and Halsted. Now a part of the Lettuce Entertain You empire, Ba-Ba-Reeba is serving up Spanish-style brunch and a bloody mary bar on Saturdays and Sundays. Don’t miss the citrus French toast with goat cheese butter and honey or the breakfast paella made with Spanish sausage and scrambled eggs. Supplement brunch with some regular menu options, such as the roasted dates with bacon and the classic red sangria, which is exceptional at any hour of the day.

If a Saturday or Sunday morning scene is your vibe, look no further than Zella weekend brunch. For$35 will get you bottomless mimosas, bloody marys, Miller Lite, and Coors Lite as well as an all-you-can-eat buffet. Get there on the earlier side during the summer months to ensure you get a table. ‘Darty’-goers come out in droves to enjoy the beautiful weather from Zella’s spacious outdoor patio. Menu highlights include mac and cheese, shrimp tacos, bacon, and Fireball.

Nookies Too has established itself as a Chicago institution since its doors first opened in 1982. The laid back atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a meal with family, catching up with friends, or curing a weekend hangover. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the croissant French toast Napoleon, consisting of layers of crispy croissant with vanilla mascarpone and fresh strawberries. If savory is more your jam, go with the Paris benedict: grilled brioche topped with poached eggs, Gruyere cheese, cherrywood-smoked bacon, grilled fresh asparagus, a truffle, and chive cream. Nookies Too serves breakfast all day and is BYOB.

Located less than a block from the Armitage Brown Line stop, Le Pain Quotidien is ideal for a healthy post-workout bite or an indulgent start to the day. Despite being an international chain, the food and atmosphere make it one of the best brunch spots in Lincoln Park. For a healthy and balanced option, grab a chia muffin or an order of their legendary avocado toast; for a splurge, the grilled ham and cheese sandwich is a must. You can’t go wrong with any of Le Pain Quotidien’s beverages, ranging from coffee and tea to mimosas and beer, and the bread and spreads accompanying the meals alone are reason enough to pay this restaurant a visit.